Our development initiatives support emerging and mid-level filmmakers and artists to grow in confidence, creativity, and craft.
Through training, mentorship, and opportunities for collaboration across documentary - including our long-running Youth Jury and career-focused training schemes - we are committed to empowering the next generation of storytellers.
Volunteer at Sheffield DocFest 2026
Our DocCrew volunteers play a vital part in bringing the festival to life, while gaining hands-on experience in a range of roles.
Applications for DocCrew 2026 are now open (closing date 1st May 2026).
Find out more
"Something I Want You To Know..." Mini-Doc - Call For Entries open
Sheffield DocFest and ArtWorks Together invite UK-based adults with learning disabilities and/or autism to submit short documentaries, shaped around the theme "Something I Want You to Know...".
Find out more
Rotherham Children's Capital of Culture traineeships
We have partnered with Rotherham Children's Capital of Culture to provide two traineeships to young people from Rotherham in the lead up to Sheffield DocFest 2026.
Our trainees Tom and Fin have both gained valuable experience working in key festival roles, whilst also coordinating a programme of dedicated community events.
FInd out more about their work
DocCritic Programme
Our brand-new DocCritic Programme brings fresh voices to our First Feature Strand, connecting emerging critics with some of the most anticipated documentaries of the year. Our DocCritics review the programme and guide audiences through the strand across our website, social media and newsletters.
This programme aims to mentor and develop the students' voice to create written and verbal content to support our filmmakers from the First Feature strand.
The students' words will help spotlight their work across our website and social media channels - shaping how audiences discover and experience these stories.
Meet our 2026 DocCritics
Work experience at Sheffield DocFest
We work with educational organisations and local employment charities to offer structured office-based placements and work experience within our year-round team as part of the curriculum and enrichment programme.
If you are a student who needs employability credits as part of your course, or if you are a local organisation looking for opportunities for students and/or service users to gain valuable employability skills in an arts and culture setting, get in touch below.
Email getinvolved@sheffdocfest.com
Guest lectures from the DocFest team
We offer in-person and online talks for students studying a range of topics. This can be anything from film programming to fundraising for a film; from events management to delivering a festival.
If you are interested in one of our team members talking to your students, please get in touch below.
Email getinvolved@sheffdocfest.com
